Heritage Council of WA approves roof for Guildford Hotel restoration

The first major restoration works to the Guildford Hotel could soon begin, after the Heritage Council of Western Australia signed off on the next stage of plans.

A tip-off to Radio 6PR’s Breakfast show’s Rumour File late last week suggested the hotel, which was gutted by fire in 2008, would soon have a roof again.

“Roof cover for the Guildford Hotel is imminent. Heritage Council just approved plans for a permanent cover structure,” the message read.

That tip-off was confirmed on Wednesday, with news the Heritage Council had given its approval.

“The City of Swan is the decision making authority who will give approval for the works.”

Project architect Kylee Schoonens said an amended development application was submitted to the City of Swan earlier this month, and that a decision was expected in coming weeks.

“The installation of the roof will help to tie the building together structurally and protect it from the elements,” she said.

In another win for the hotel, a grant of $100,000 was awarded by the State Government on Wednesday. The funds will be used to reconstruct the building’s belvedere.

A timeline of works for the restoration was released by hotel owners last month. Debris and graffiti have already been cleared from the historic site.

Hotel owner Luke Martino said he was “delighted” with the progress to date.

“The next steps, of course, are critical to determine the economic viability of the site as a whole. We are working hard to ensure we continue on as we have begun,” he said.

The Publican Group, which runs a number of Perth venues, including The Aviary, signed an agreement to lease the site in June with a view to re-establishing the hotel.